Agreements to lease four islands signed

"Agreements have been signed for the leasing of four islands off Kalpitiya to be developed as tourist resorts," Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena told Parliament yesterday.

He said that Sri Lanka Tourism Authority had already signed the lease agreements with the related investors to develop four islands, namely Vellai 1, Vellai 2, Vellai 3 and Ippantivu, as tourist resorts.

In addition, the survey is in progress for the potential investors for 10 islands: Baththalangunduwa, Palliyawatta, Uchchamunai, Eramutivu, Mutuwal, Periya Arachchalai, Sinna Arachchalai, Sinna Eramutivu, Eramutivu West, and Kakativu I vested with the Tourism Development Authority.

The land acquisition process is under way for the rest of 17 islands: Lamputivu alias pambativu, Kilitivu, Neduntivu, Mattutivu, Ambanttativu, Pullupitiya Alias Somativu, Kakativu 3, including 3 islands with no identified names.

In accordance with the master plan for the Kalpitiya Tourism Development project, the main objective is to make a community integrated project in the area. Accordingly, it has been ensured that no fisheries family will be displaced.

New houses, access roads, community centre facilities in identified locations are built and there is no hindrance for the fisheries industry which is the primary livelihood of the communities.

The investors are contributing for the Corporate Social Responsibility Fund. Thereby all infrastructure requirements, including housing and access roads and community centres which are in requirement to the area, will be provided.

Training unemployed youth in the hospitality industry will be conducted by the Tourism Development Authority to the satisfaction of the local community in line with the Government's policy of ensuring benefits to the masses through tourism development.